Woke Scottish police call pedophiles ‘minor attracted persons’ in crime report

In Chief Constable of Police Scotland Iain Livingstone’s most recent yearly report on law enforcement's performance, he referred to pedophiles as MAPS, sparking backlash.

The assessment referenced the Horizon Europe Project, an EU scientific research initiative that uses the term in order to provide them with "the necessary support, treatment and guidance to help prevent criminal activities."

Members of UK Parliament spoke out, with Alba Party MP Kenny McAskill of East Lothian saying the use of the term in place of "pedophile" is "baloney."

"Spouting these euphemisms simply masks the reality and their danger," he said to the Scottish Daily Express.

"I very much welcome the common sense approach from Police Scotland, though even in commissioning documents these euphemisms should be avoided as they mask the reality and hide the horror. The term in whatever context is baloney," McAskill added.

A spokesman of the Scottish Conservative Party also voiced concern, saying, "Most Scots will find any attempt to soften the language around pedophilia in official guidance to be deeply disturbing and wrong."

"Offenses relating to pedophilia are among the most appalling and unforgivable crimes anyone can commit and it's essential that Police Scotland guidance reflects this," he added.

In response, Police Scotland attempted to defend their phraseology by explaining the "context" in which it was used.

A police spokesman said: "Police Scotland does not use the term Minor-Attracted Person. The reference in the Chief Constable's Assessment of Policing Performance 2021/22 was in the context of Police Scotland's engagement with the Horizon Project EU consortium to tackle Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation."

According to the force, "MAP" is commonly used in the EU, but Scottish police don't actually say it.

"The term was used in the commissioning documents for the consortium and is more commonly used on the continent. In September, Police Scotland representatives successfully lobbied for the MAP term not to be used by the consortium," the spokesman said.